Roanmore and Fourmilewater remain unbeaten after Fraher Field stalemate
There was a few flash points early in the game between Fourmilewater and Roanmore during their JJ Kavanagh & Sons Co. Senior hurling championship clash played at Cappoquin Logistics Fraher on Sunday last. Photos: Eddie Dee
Roanmore and Fourmilewater maintained their unbeaten starts to this year's JJ Kavanagh & Sons County Senior Hurling Championship after sharing the spoils in an entertaining 1-16 apiece draw at Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field on Sunday afternoon.
Although the game was billed as a top-of-the-table clash, it struggled to reach the heights many had anticipated. Both sides enjoyed spells of dominance, but neither could fully take control as the contest ebbed and flowed throughout before Aaron Ryan's late free secured a deserved draw for Fourmilewater.
The Ballymacarbry outfit looked the sharper side during the opening quarter and appeared on course for victory as they built up a six-point advantage. Roanmore, however, showed plenty of character to recover before the interval and remained in contention throughout a closely fought second half.
The city side got off to the perfect start when Sean Burke landed the opening score after just 30 seconds. Their early momentum was checked almost immediately, however, when Charlie Chester was forced to leave the field through injury after only two minutes, with Frank McGrath introduced as his replacement.
Aaron Ryan and Sean Burke traded scores before Fourmilewater began to gain the upper hand. Jamie Barron and Ryan both found the target before Paul O'Sullivan replied from a close-range free.
Fourmilewater continued to impress and opened up a three-point cushion thanks to further scores from Aaron Ryan, Jamie Barron and Evan Spellman, leaving them 0-6 to 0-3 ahead after 19 minutes.
The westerners continued to dictate matters through the middle period of the half. Sean Walsh added his name to the scoresheet while Ryan, proving a constant threat from placed balls and open play, struck two more points to help extend the lead to six with six minutes of the opening half remaining.
At that stage Roanmore appeared to be in trouble, but they responded impressively. Sean Burke, one of their standout performers throughout, led the fightback with an excellent point. Eoin Burke followed with two scores in quick succession before Sean Burke added another to reduce the deficit to just two points.
The momentum had completely shifted and Roanmore finished the half strongly. In added time, Callum Carroll and Gavin O'Brien each converted chances to send the sides into the dressing rooms level at 0-9 apiece.
Roanmore carried that momentum into the second half. Gavin O'Brien, clinical from placed balls, converted three frees, while Tom Barron replied for Fourmilewater as the Sky Blues moved two points clear by the 39th minute.
The opening goal arrived a minute later and swung the advantage back in Fourmilewater's favour. Liam O'Brien's shot was brilliantly saved by Jack Chester, but the rebound broke kindly for Michael Morrissey, who reacted quickest to force the ball over the line from close range and put his side 1-10 to 0-12 ahead.
The response from Roanmore was immediate and demonstrated why they remain among the championship contenders. Just two minutes later Sean Burke delivered an inviting ball across the square and Paul O'Sullivan was on hand to finish to the net, restoring parity and reigniting his side's challenge.
Brian Nolan then edged Roanmore three points clear, but Fourmilewater refused to panic. Evan Spellman struck two important scores before Tom Barron added another to bring the teams level once more with 12 minutes remaining.
The closing stages were tense and hard fought. Gavin O'Brien and Aaron Ryan exchanged frees before Sean Burke and substitute Sean Roche both hit valuable scores to leave Roanmore two points clear entering injury time.
Fourmilewater's resilience has become one of their trademarks and they once again showed tremendous determination when the game appeared to be slipping away. Aaron Ryan first converted a '65 to leave the minimum between the sides before stepping up moments later to split the posts from a free and earn his side a share of the spoils.
While neither team produced their very best form, both will be satisfied to remain unbeaten heading into the next round of fixtures. Fourmilewater will be pleased with the manner in which they controlled long stretches of the game, while Roanmore can take encouragement from the character they displayed in battling back from a six-point deficit.
A draw was probably the fairest outcome on an afternoon when neither side deserved to leave empty-handed.
Sean Burke 0-5, Gavin O'Brien 0-5 (4f, 1 '65), Paul O'Sullivan 1-1, Eoin Burke 0-2, Sean Roche 0-1, Brian Nolan 0-1, Callum Carroll 0-1.
Aaron Ryan 0-8 (6f, 1 '65), Evan Spellman 0-3, Michael Morrissey 1-0, Tom Barron 0-2, Jamie Barron 0-2, Sean Walsh 0-1.
Jack Chester; Alex Furlong, Conor Ryan, Charlie Chester; Eoin Burke, Billy Nolan, Dean Walsh; Sean Burke, Gavin O'Brien; Brian Nolan, Paul O'Sullivan, Ethan Flynn; Lee Hearne, Rory Furlong, Callum Carroll.
Frank McGrath for Charlie Chester (2), Sean Roche for Paul O'Sullivan (48), Eanna McHugh for Lee Hearne (53), Daniel Ryan for Callum Carroll (62).
Stephen Ryan; James McGrath, Tadhg Walsh, Pat Walsh; Tholom Guiry, Oisin Walsh, Dermot Ryan; Tom Barron, Paddy Spellman; Jamie Barron, Liam O'Brien, Evan Spellman; Michael Morrissey, Sean Walsh, Aaron Ryan.
Chris Ryan for Paddy Spellman (45), Conor Gleeson for Michael Morrissey (56).
Killian O'Sullivan (Cappoquin).
